[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 109 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE 37TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKEY'S INVASION OF CYPRUS

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the 37th anniversary of 
Turkey's invasion of Cyprus to call upon the Government of Turkey to 
end its unlawful military occupation of the Island.
  For 37 years, Greek Cypriots have had to live with the memory of 
being forcibly removed from their homes only to become refugees in 
their own country. For years, they endured a policy of systematic 
ethnic cleansing and, despite the insistence of the international 
community, to this day Cyprus remains under occupation. Forty-three 
thousand Turkish troops occupy a third of the island, making the area 
they control among the most militarized regions in the world.
  For 37 years, it has been the goal of the international community to 
reunify Cyprus into a stable and prosperous country where Greek 
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace and security.
  Attempts to reunify the country have undergone various levels of 
negotiation for over 45 years yielding few lasting achievements along 
the way. Even the occasional success has produced little of enduring 
material value.
  For example, in 1979, the U.S. and UN applauded Turkey's agreement to 
withdraw and handover the uninhabited city of Famagusta to its rightful 
inhabitants. Every year, the UN calls upon Turkey to honor its 
commitment, but, to this day, Famagusta remains in the hands of the 
Turkish government.
  The U.S. and the EU and the UN have demonstrated their willingness to 
work with Turkey toward a lasting settlement in Cyprus that reunifies 
the country into a bi-zonal federation. By continuing its occupation, 
by closing its seaports to Cypriot-flagged ships, and by refusing to 
follow through on its promises, Turkey has continued to ignore the will 
of the international community.
  So, on this 37th anniversary of Turkey's illegal occupation of 
Cyprus, I ask my colleagues to join me in condemning the continued 
occupation and join me in calling for Turkey to withdraw its troops 
from the island.

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